The latest Watchtower launches yet another scathing attack on ‘apostates’, namely any current or former Witnesses who disagree with the organization’s teachings.
The July 15, 2014 issue brands any who deviate from official dogma as “devious,” “hypocritical” and “divisive,” not to mention “foolish and ignorant.”
Witnesses are thus urged to “completely avoid, yes reject, apostasy” by avoiding debating with apostates “whether in person, by responding to their blogs, or by any other form of communication.”
A PDF version of this latest magazine can be found on this link.
No proof necessary
Two study articles are almost exclusively set aside by Watchtower for stirring fear and suspicion regarding any Witness who would dare to question the organization or its teachings. Bible verses are invoked that, on closer inspection, have little or no bearing on the issue of dissent against Watchtower itself.
Page 7, for example, draws parallels with the sons of Korah, who were consumed by fire from heaven for questioning the authority of Moses and Aaron.
In a clear nod towards Watchtower’s view of its own critics, the opponents of Moses’ authority are described as “arrogant renegades attempting to usurp the priesthood,” who had “deluded themselves into thinking that God would accept their worship.”
But the writers overlook the fact that the divine execution of Korah and his sons by fire from heaven and by the ground swallowing them up would have itself proven that Moses and Aaron enjoyed God’s favor and backing.
The Governing Body, by comparison, offers no tangible evidence whatsoever that they occupy roles comparable with Moses and Aaron. No proof is deemed necessary that they have been specially chosen by God to “take the lead” among his people. Witnesses must simply take their word for it that Christ chose the organization in 1919 without question.
But if evidence is not required for Witnesses to believe this crucial teaching, then how does the Witness faith differ from any other religion?
If you are still not familiar with the “new light” on the Governing Body, please click here.
Devious for a reason
The same article, on page 10, warns that Jehovah “does not tolerate hypocritical worship.” In particular, it points the finger at apostates as being “devious person[s]” who are hated by Jehovah for “deliberately [putting] up a front, feigning obedience while practicing sin in secret.”
Presumably this “practicing sin in secret” is a reference to the fact that many apostates within the organization practice the “sin” of disagreeing with the organization without doing so publicly for fear of reprisals. But by attempting to stigmatize them in this way, Watchtower overlooks the reasons why apostates behave in this manner.
For example, Watchtower literature is replete with experiences of Witnesses in oppressive political regimes of the 20th Century who continued to publish and circulate literature under threat of punishment and despite bans on their work.
Such ones would courageously find ingenious ways to conceal publications and continue their worship by whatever means.
The fact that some Witnesses were underhanded in evading the authorities for the pursuit of their convictions is rightly applauded by Watchtower, who hails them as heroes rather than denouncing them as “devious.”
If Watchtower were to allow Witnesses who no longer believe their teachings to leave freely, they would be perfectly entitled to bemoan those who feign loyalty to the organization while being secretly opposed to it. But when you punish people for leaving your religion, in direct violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by coercing family members to shun and loath such ones, you cannot have it both ways.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” – Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 18.
Stigmatizing those who are blackmailed into remaining within a religion against their will as “devious,” “hypocritical” and “putting up a front,” using the pages of the same magazine that urges reprisals against such ones through shunning, is small-minded, sadistic and cowardly.
It is also itself hypocritical when you consider Watchtower’s history of lauding those brave Witnesses who pursued their faith and convictions, to the death if necessary, while also under oppressive and ruthless regimes.
A little too convenient
The next article, entitled “Jehovah’s People ‘Renounce Unrighteousness,'” does not shy away from telling Witnesses exactly how they should respond to former believers who offer a differing opinion.
Conveniently, therefore, Jehovah’s Witnesses are denied the opportunity to judge for themselves whether so-called apostates really do spread “unscriptural teachings.” Watchtower has graciously already made that decision for them.
Rather, Witnesses are barred from even communicating with apostates or “responding to their blogs,” since this is deemed contrary to “Scriptural direction.”
To drive home this point, the following image on page 15 portrays apostates as being angry and intimidating…
If by any chance you are a concerned Witness reading this article, please ask yourself the following questions: “Isn’t this a little too convenient on Watchtower’s part? Isn’t it rather obvious that they would want me to ignore the other side of the argument if they don’t have the truth? If this really is ‘the Truth’, what does the organization have to hide? What is so terrible about honest and open debate?”
The “mentally diseased” scandal
This new material is arguably the strongest anti-apostate rhetoric to come out of Watchtower’s writing department since the notorious July 15, 2011 issue. It was this magazine that sparked global controversy when apostates were smeared as “mentally diseased,” to the astonishment of some outsiders.
The “mentally diseased” slur was actually based on the previous New World Translation edition’s mistranslation of 1 Timothy 6:4. Instead of apostates being “obsessed with arguments and debates about words” (as they are described in the latest ‘silver sword’ version), back then the same verse described apostates as being “mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words.”
But rather than apologize for allowing such an obvious mistranslation to flavor their offensive name-calling assault against former believers, the Governing Body’s teaching committee made sure the “mentally diseased” slur was included in talks given during last year’s district convention series – only months before the new bible with its amended translation was released.
As the above video points out, Watchtower’s approach to dealing with so-called apostates is characterized by the well-known propaganda tactic of name-calling, and this latest magazine article is no exception.
Rather than refute their opponents through open debate, dialogue, and the application of logic and reason, Watchtower’s strategy is to bully, smear and stigmatize dissidents with derogatory expressions and mischaracterizations, urging Witnesses to avoid them entirely rather than judge for themselves.
On the one hand it is depressing to consider that such a juvenile and cowardly approach will work only too well with the majority of Witnesses who WANT to believe they have the true religion. On the other hand, this aggressive approach will not fool everyone.
There will always be those whose critical thinking faculties have not been completely compromised, and who will thus be able to see through the negative spin and ad hominem vitriol.
For such ones, it is painfully obvious that the efforts of activists are taking their toll on this floundering organization for it to be behaving in such an ungainly manner. Those of us who aren’t afraid to think for ourselves must take courage in realizing that the more we witness Watchtower lashing out with such anger and desperation, the clearer it is that we have them on the back foot.
Further reading…
Have you seen the head of the Governing Body members glow? Have they predicted and taken an active part in bringing about 10 plagues to the USA? Is there a column of fire standing by the Betel in New York? Do they have a staff that grew flowers like the one of Aaron? And at the very least, do they claim to be inspired by God and thus be infallible? Then, on what basis are they comparing themselves with Moses and the Apostles?
I think the advice in this issue of WT is an excellent one, which I think I’m following to the letter.
As it says, as soon as I see a publication that twists the scriptures or simply advances unscriptural arguments, I reject them.
On a more serious note, I would like to say that I’m convinced that we all are responsible for our INDIVIDUAL spiritual way. It cannot be imposed by any other human being. If you want to follow what you read in WT to the letter, I think it’s fine as long as it’s YOUR decision to do so.
One cannot “feign obedience” in a way to be mistaken as obedient by other human beings. For anyone believing in God, “feigning obedience” is a concept that has no logical value. Jesus said that the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
If your mouth doesn’t/cannot speak what is in your heart, you’re on the wrong track.
Stephane I even wouldn’t go as far as miraculous appearances.
For some particular “human” aspects for instance, I am much more impressed by Gandhi than what I see in the organization.
People feel drawn by ones that make you feel comfortable and cared. No other miracles would be needed to see if someone is really trying to follow an honest path.
Up to now there have been several JW apologists on this blog making their vain attempts to defend the Watchtower, and convince themselves, of nobody else, that there is some truth in JW TRUTH.
Previous directives to the faithful to refrain from engaging with ‘apostates’ have clearly been unsuccessful.
It will be interesting to see whether the current desperate tone of the language, for all that it is not accompanied by lethal thunderbolts, will deter the true believers this time.
Wow. They are really getting paranoid.
Not just coming after the creator of blogs like this one, but at people who would DARE to read or comment.
Since there are no comments or feedback allowed on jw.org, how is an honest-hearted JW supposed to get their questions answered?
By next year, they will be examining the true meaning of what it means to be in a “cult.”
“Upon further examination of the scriptures, we need an adjustment to our understanding. When the world labels Jehovah’s organization as a “cult,” we can stand proud. What is wrong with a cult? Don’t be tricked by the evil words of the world. Satan’s system is desperately persecuting us.”
It won’t be too long before witnesses will be warn not to go door to door in fear of talking with an apostate.
Nice article Cedars
I agree with Cedars. The WTBTS has been wrong footed by the new wave of “apostates”. In the past, apostates were those folks you saw at assemblies, with their alternative books, trying to convert you to their way of worship.
Now, we are in no way interested in starting a new religion. We are solely concerned with creating an open debate about the WTBTS. We are determined to expose the shocking and immoral covering up of child abuse and domestic abuse.
The WTBTS has no real counter to our efforts. It swings out the old style responses that do not apply to us. Then it relies on the good old fashioned ignore them routine!
In reality, the WTBTS cannot win an open debate. The last thing it wants to do is debate fairly with the modern apostates. It has no defence from the truth.
My dear old Mum is at her Assembly today. Two days of utter boredom and indoctrination – I am SO glad I’m not a JW anymore!!
Great article, as ever, Cedars!
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Aargh. It’s becoming ever clear to me that I must resign my membership from this organisation that I may not share in her sins! (Rev 18:4) I’ve close family who support me emotionally (parents and grandma) who are staunch JW’s. Only reason I haven’t done so so far. But I simply must take action….
Paranoid much? It is only a matter of time! We must all stand firm and continue to do what we are doing. Inform them as much as we can about their false teachings.
“Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing” comes to mind :)
The witnesses believe that there is a god somewhere up there that favours them. That only them will live on a paradise earth, if I told that to my 11 year old he would think that I would have gone nuts….however because it is religion a lot of garbage is passed by as “good news”. Just let those crazy people believe what they want. It does not affect what they called me just because I disassociated myself. It makes me laught….
Hi Mel,
Close or immediate family may include your own children. In my case I prefer to intelligenly fade over years instead of “taking actions” as you say. Because I know that “well-intentioned” elders would not hesitate to put pressure on my own children to throw me into oblivion with their WT-style trained “good conscience”.
Cheers. Take care before acting.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible with the Greek and Hebrew Dictionary, Jah #3050 is God but hovah #1943 means mischief or ruin. In “The Divine Name That Will Endure Forever” brochure on pg. 17, it says Jehovah was invented by a Spanish monk named Raymundus Martini in 1278 C.E. On pg. 8, there is a box with Jehovah in 37 different languages but it leaves out Jehovah in the Jewish language. Was that because they knew that according to the Jewish language, Jehovah means God of ruin or mischief? How many Witnesses know that according to the Jews, Jehovah’s Witnesses are rendering worship to the God of mischief or ruin? Maybe if they knew that little tidbit of information, they wouldn’t be so quick to listen to those articles telling them to be afraid of listening to those so-called apostates and make them wonder just who is telling the truth and who isn’t telling the truth anymore?
All of the warning signs of apostasy in those articles and in the talks at assemblies, could very well apply to the Governing Body since they lyingly twist scriptures in order to subvert the faith away from Christ to themselves. The Governing Body wants unsuspecting innocent ones to think that they are worshipping the God of the Bible but in reality, are being misled by arrogant, false teachers, pretending to be led by God’s Holy Spirit but are being led by the God of mischief or ruin and who else could that be but Satan himself. Are these men mentally diseased? I think it possible that they are diseased with power and just like Korah, Dathan and Abriam, they should also go off into destruction or at least they should just go away. Which one was that said that religion was a racket and a snare? So true.
What about “RAPED apostate sisters” and “RAPED christian sisters”?
These “RAPED” sisters from Malawi are hailed as heroes (they pleased Jehovah)
*** yb96 p. 129 Mozambique ***
President H. Kamuzu Banda declared Jehovah’s Witnesses a prohibited society in Malawi. Savage persecution broke out against them. Throughout the country, their property was destroyed, they were beaten, some were killed, over a thousand Christian women were raped. In desperation, many survivors sought refuge in Mozambique
While these “APOSTATE SISTERS IN GERMANY” are considered punished by Jehovah for apostasy:
*** yb74 p. 178 Part 2—Germany ***
Sister Dietrichkeit remembers two sisters who signed the declaration. When they returned they told Sister Dietrichkeit they had signed because they were afraid they were going to starve to death. They did not hide the fact that the SS had asked them: “Now that you have denied your God, Jehovah, what God will you serve?” The two sisters were soon released, but when the Russians invaded the country both were rearrested for some reason or another and taken to prison by the Russians where they actually did starve to death. In another case a sister who signed was raped by the Russians during the last few days of the war and then murdered by them.
Sad, sad, sad, …. ” a sister who signed was raped by the Russians during the last few days of the war and then murdered by them.”!!!
RAPES in one case PLEASES JEHOVAH and in another case is a punishment for APOSTASY.
Can anybody show me the difference between cases of rape of sisters in Malawi and those in Germany who became “apostates”?
Great! More raised eyebrows. More suspicion. More distrust and paranoia. More trap questions. More interrogations. More talking about you behind your back. People who are afraid of open honest questions and discussion are afraid of truth!
Did anyone notice that they had the life experience of Gerrit Losch in the same magazine? Yet again another self-serving, arrogant mention of a governing body member. There was no one else they could talk about? So he pioneered in Austria for a few years and then went to New York. How inspiring. *yawn*
Yes, I did notice! I plan to devote an article to this in the near future, and possibly a video. :)
Hakizimana, how about how many women would stick up for this organization if they knew according to the 1968 Watchtower pg. 348 talking about a woman being raped “Would it be different if the man had a weapon and threatened to kill you if you did not submit? No, the Scriptures plainly state that Christians are under obligation to “flee from fornication.” (1 Cor. 6:18). It is true that you face the possibility of death in this case. But you have no guarantee that if you meekly submit, your assailant will not kill you anyhow to avoid identification.”
When I read this way back when, I was so angry and confronted my husband with this and I asked him, “so would you rather see me dead than to survive a rape like this if a man has a knife to my throat” and he said yes, he’d rather see me dead because it would be fornication if I didn’t fight back and scream. Every girl who is even thinking about getting married to a JW should ask that question before getting married to him and if you know a girl who is studying, tell her this before she gets dunked. It might be a real eye-opener to her. As far as I know, if a female survives a rape, she still has to answer to a committee hearing to determine if she “meekly submitted”. What woman in her right mind could love an organization who treated women like that? It also shows how little love a husband has for his wife if this is the way he believes.
…and oh by the way, if you don’t think this is the way rape should be handled, you are disagreeing with the Society’s teaching and could very well be considered an apostate….
If you do not have the freedom to question ask yourself why?
I had a moment to read the article. I think among other points mentioned here, the 9th paragraph is noteworthy. This is so cleverly written, a masterpiece ! It is about argumentation about issues, which may be regarding scriptural matters even !
If you read the paragraph probably the first question that would come to mind is, exactly HOW such discussions are made. Arguing over the meaning of a particular word, or detail may simply be part of a open and interesting biblical discussion ! If it’s an empty and foolish speech or a very interesting debate would really depend on the manner it’s made as well as the initial intentions.
But why I’m saying it’s cleverly written is because this way ANY discussion that may involve a different view than WT’s would bear the risk of being considered as “foolish” speech.
So basically, there is no need for anyone to THINK and express any kind of opinion if it’s not parroting WT’s standpoint.
Now, based upon this, if we took the example of the brother who wrote nearly 500 pages about the destruction of Jerusalem, upon years of diligent research, is emtpy and foolish speech …
When you are bringing up questions why the congregations deal so poorly about children in distress due to paedophilia cases, you’re engaged in emtpy and foolish speech.
Lastly, I can’t help but comparing to Jesus. Through the gospels, many cases can be read where pharisees directed questions and even reproaches against him, sometimes just for the sake of bringing him into trouble. The difference is that Jesus wasn’t ignoring them, and always countered to such cases and he did have answers to give them.
@ Cedars re Gerrit Losch:
Not to steal your thunder, but I must say that my eyes popped out when I read Losch’s words regarding the Pope: “No wonder that for many Catholics the teaching of apostolic succession is the most important teaching, since the correctness or incorrectness of other Catholic teachings hinges on it!”
It is amazing that he does not see the correlation between apostolic succession and the Witness teachings about 1914 and the mantle of authority being passed down to “the faithful and discreet slave” in 1919! Indeed, for Witnesses, it is “the most important teaching” ‘since all teachings hinge upon it’!
Yes, Gerrit’s remarks about apostolic succession caught my eye too. I won’t let him off the hook with that so easily!
This is most encouraging. The JW bosses are obviously worried about the internet eroding their malign power.
And JW kids, for all that they have had, by definition as JWs, a weird and perverse upbringing, are still kids. If they pay any attention to this article at all their curiosity will be aroused and they will seek out the hidden, banned and thus alluring ‘apostate’ info.
With churchgoing of all sorts going down in Europe and the States, JWs will be struggling more than most. I know the Bible God notion as a reality only stayed with me so long as the guy was ubiquitous throughout childhood, either as murderous old Jehovah at the Kingdom Hall or Gentle Jesus in school assembly and scripture lessons. (I was a mongrel JW kid with a whole range of influences – hence not banned from assembly and scripture).
Wouldn’t this continual harping on apostates make one afraid to even talk to a person’s parents or children or anyone even remotely close to you in the association of “brothers”? It would make everyone afraid of everyone else so in order not to be looked as an apostate to anyone at all, you would just keep any doubts to yourself and suffer in silence. You can’t trust anyone at all. What a sad way to live. You also have to be looking at everyone else, wondering if they are thinking that about us, wondering if we can be trusted by them. Best thing to do is not go to any meetings anymore or if you want to go to meetings, memorize something that sounds spiritual to them and just keep saying the same thing over and over again like “We need the new world” after everything anybody says. Then you don’t have to worry about anything. And they wonder why meeting attendance is so low.
Great article as usual, John, thanks much!
Are you not allowed to test the inspired expression?
The first above video by The Huffington Post about the WT article on “mentally diseased” apostates has the JW’s lying. The JW’s claim that they recognize an individual’s right to leave. That is a lie. In the JW’s, you really have “NO RIGHT TO LEAVE”(emphasis added), which is one of their “hidden unwritten rules” . How I know? I once made the mistake of revealing to an elder that I was studying with that I was thinking about leaving as I was now beginning to feel and realize that this wasn’t the right place for me to be. He had me look up the scriptures at Revelation 2:4 about the Ephesian Christians leaving the love that they had at first and also, the scripture in Matthew 24:13 that “he who endures to the end is the one that will be saved”. Not only that, he even used the familiar tactics that they commonly use like; “Where else are you going to get eternal life in a new world?” and also; “If you stop doing the work that ‘Jehovah’ orders us to do right now, you’ll make Satan jump for joy knowing that he has you back in the world after leaving ‘THE truth'”. It was just that my enthusiasm had died down and I tried real hard to resurrect(for lack of a better word)the initial enthusiasm that I had, only it never came back and after all the negative things, such as lies made up about me by certain young ladies in the particular congregation and all other things, such as all the overtly critical attitude of my last study conductor and my argument with him after I put my foot down to his using and abusing the sacred scriptures of the Holy Bible for his own self righteous interpretation and also using it to justify his repeated criticisms of me, I had enough and dropped out in 1994. I spent only a brief two years in that terrible cult and that was more than enough for me to know the in’s and out’s of that terrible and destructive cult. I haven’t looked back since then and though I was thinking of returning to them in 2002, I changed my mind when the Dateline NBC expose of their scandals of hiding and protecting pedophiles and doing little if nothing to protect their victims made me change my mind about doing so. Right now, I want to help and even support those who are just leaving or want to leave, but are afraid of leaving as a result of their man-made doctrinal teachings and they way that they use and abuse them to try to force them to stay in the cult. Thanks John Cedars for this blog and for your insight. You are a very valuable asset to the world among and outside the online community. Keep up the good work that you’re doing.
@ anonymous re commenting:
So true! It’s like one older sister said to me, “Just say, ‘the same applies today’…it always fits!” lol
Sad just the same, like living in old East Germany, afraid to be your genuine self and not knowing who to trust. Just keep waiving Mao’s silver sword (oops…little red book)!
The article is so eye-opening and could really knock some sense into readers to see that the WT is hiding something.
Unfortunately, the reality is one of two things: no one in the org will really read the article at all. They are kept so busy with mindless activities that few have time to delve into something like that. They may read the title, listen to the study, nod and agree. It’s the same old standard line just beefed up a bit. Plus, deep down they know they aren’t going to disagree with the powers that be so it’s easier just to swim with the tide.
The other option is that those that read it will come away confused, because thinking is HARD. They’d have to read it with possibly another translation and compare scriptures that aren’t the same old proof texts they are used to. Again, thinking is HARD and it’s so much easier to just be told what to do than participate in understanding their beliefs. These too would actually have to have doubts and unanswered questions BEFORE reading the article for it to be relevant to them and understanding the falsehoods presented.
OK, who’s the wiseguy apostate in the art dept. who slipped that ‘DECEIVED’ sign in the WT?
‘Deceived Jehovah Witness’, brings up 18 Google pages.
‘Jehovah Witness Deceived’, brings up 17 Google pages.
WTS “Contrary to what some may think, it is not unkind and unloving to lay bare falsehood and corruption.” WT 3/1/66 p132
—-
WTS ‘It would be unscriptural for us to use disparaging terms when referring to ones who do not share our beliefs.’- 12-1-98 WT p. 15.
February
15,
2000
Watchtower:
“The ruling ecclesiastical class … violently silenced a voice [Cyril Lucaris – in 1638] that
pointed to some of the errors of their non-Biblical beliefs. They proved to be among the
worst enemies of religious freedom and truth. Sadly, this is a stance that in various ways
survives even to our day. It is a sobering reminder of what happens when clergyinstigated
intrigues stand in the way of freedom of thought and expression.”
“It is important, then, that you “keep testing whether you are in the faith,” as Paul declared. Keep checking to see whether the things you believe are in keeping with God’s Word. But the question is, Are you willing to put your religion through such a test? There is nothing to fear, because if you have the right religion you can only be reassured by the examination. And if what you believe is not in keeping with the Bible, then you should welcome the truth, because it leads to light and life.” Watchtower 1958 May 1 p.261 Is Your Religion the Right One?
No one should be forced to worship in a way that he finds unacceptable or be made to choose between his beliefs and his family.”
Awake! 2009 July p.29 (p.28)
“Are you open-minded enough to consider the possibility that you may not be? It will pay to find out. Whereas an open mind can serve to your advantage, a closed one will almost certainly serve to your detriment.”(AWAKE!-November 22, 1984)
“We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are it’s teachings in full harmony with God’s word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination.”(The truth that leads to eternal life, Brooklyn: The Watchtower Bible And Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 1968, P. 13)
Good job as always Cedars!
This is so unfair. We get called all kind of disparaging names and have all types of insults thrown at us and yet we cannot even question the Governing Body as to the validity of these claims they make against us. They do not have to answer to us so-called apostates and definitely not their Witnesses for the statements made within their magazines. They can take blows at us but they duck and hide when it’s time for us to strike back. What cowardice…
The image on page 15 is particularly insidious. Portraying “apostates” as an unruly and scary-looking gaggle of banner-waving rebels instils that idea in the minds of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The one you immediately focus on is the untidy bruiser at the front with his shirt all untucked, a snarl on his face, and a pair of small sunglasses so that his eyes are made to look like hollow bottomless pits.
And then there is the young Witness casting a shy look to the side being enticed by a womanly honey-trap extending a leaflet. But he has his father’s hand firmly on his shoulder guiding him directly in to the assembly hall. “Look straight ahead, son. Pretend like they don’t exist.”
All in all, it is in extremely poor taste.
I love your mum, Excelsior!
I feel for her, and you man.
My wife and I haven’t been able to talk to any of our rallies for over 10 years, and believe me it hurts, they call this discipline. That would be fine, if the crime was warranted. However, for a having different opinion to the GB is not a crime, its a travesty of Justice.
Have peace Duds
This argument regarding Korah really gets under my skin.
For instance, if Moses/Aaron had continually taught what was false and mislead the people and Korah had proven so scripturally would God have condemned/commended him for pointing that out?
If a Christian is obligated with God’s approval, Christ’s approval the Holy spirit’s approval and the inspired apostles approval, (being aware that the watchtower self confessed to not being inspired) should we just go along without testing the inspired utterance bearing in mind that God allows a delusional influence regarding the presence of Christ into the congregations 2Thess 2 1+2, 11-13.
The watchtower likens itself to Moses/Aaron however what they fail to apply to them self’s is the disciple that Moses and Aaron received when the misrepresented God.
Now call me a liar Watchtower.
It was Rutherford who said religion is a racket and a snare, ironic really as what he was doing was no different to what other religions were doing. He wasn’t worshipping God at all he was worshipping greed and alcohol by living off peoples charity/donations and getting wasted all the time. If this man is one of the 144,000 and is in heaven right now then quite frankly i don’t want to know what God is thinking and do not agree with God either.
I guess the societies definition of an apostate is anyone who disagrees with its teachings, no matter how much they are contradicted by the scriptures or get changed back and forth. Reminds me of the catholic inquisition where a heretic was anybody who disagreed with it. Thank god the the worst the WT can do is disfellowshipping , and not burning at the stake. If apostates are “mentally diseased” where that put all those who partake of the emblems at the memorial and are “mentally unbalanced”? It’s often been said that if CT Russell were alive today he would have to be disfellowhipped as an apostate because what he taught was so different, almost the complete opposite in many ways, to the current ” new light”
The WTBTS are reaping what they have sown.
By not allowing people to just leave, and enforcing cruel and unscriptural shunning, they have created a whole host of people who do not believe and yet remain in name only.
If they had shown the compassion of Christ, and allowed these people to leave without repercussions, they would be more confident in the loyalty of their followers.
As it is, they can never be sure if people are in because they really believe, or in to avoid the shunning by relatives and friends.
Peace be with you
Excelsior!
Excellent observation, Excelsior!
Would you rather…
– Be able to trust the members of your organization, knowing that they are following you willingly and whole-heartedly (and all that entails)?
**OR**
– Have millions of followers, who go along with your rules, simply because they fear the consequences of expressing doubt?
There is no way the WT can count or assess the true climate of their organization. Obviously, there are some who do truly believe. BUT… The more we hear coming from those inside, the clearer it becomes that the society is filled with unrest.
Those in power are lashing out at their own followers (see the parable of the evil slave in Matthew 24:48-51). The “faithful slave” the sheep have served for over 100 years, is now turning the paranoia and accusations toward the people who are still trapped inside the tower.
“Trust no one! Even your brother could be an apostate! Do not question us, or you will be next!”
I wasted 15 years of my life as a JW, there were often teachings I couldn’t fully accept of make sense of but the answer was always “trust in Jehovah, pray more, do more study and field service etc”. Eventually I just gave up and drifted away and tried to pick up the pieces of my normal life. Recently I have been studying up on different aspects of the bible itself and also the watchtower society and its history. The internet as a great tool with so much information available out there. The more I dig into sites like this one, Silentlambs, freeminds, JWfacts, Barbera Anderson etc, the more facts I discover and the closer I get to the real truth about the Watchtower. The people who run these sites are not apostates, just decent , sincere people who woke up and dared to look for the real truth and not just blindly swallow everything the GB said. In a court case, both sides of an argument are presented, and then a judgement is made. The reason WT wants to keep curious ones away from these sites is that once they see all the facts they will realize they have been duped.
We are encouraged from the Society to make legal contracts with our brothers and sisters so that nobody can take another brother or sister to court, right? When we get baptized, we just stand up in front of Witnesses and say “yes to 2 questions” and then whatever the Society decides to do in the future, we have to agree to or keep quiet and pretend it’s what we think too. Does anybody see something wrong with this picture? Shouldn’t there be a long list of dos and don’ts that we should be aware of before entering into this contract and then if the rules change, shouldn’t we have the right to sign another contract, bringing us up to date so we can decide if we want part of that new arrangement? Why is this contract with the Society only open-ended on their part? Why do they get to make all the rules and then change them at will and we just have to follow along or get disfellowshipped for apostasy if we can’t go along with all the changes?
I can’t imagine that almost everyone who is a Witness goes along with every little nit picky thing that the Governing Body says we have to do. How much do grandparents love the rules of disfellowshipping when they can’t play with their grandchildren because their daughter or son is disfellowshipped? How many tears do they shed because they know there’s no way in hell their child will ever pretend to come back into the “truth” just to please their parents. Who doesn’t want to sneak into an R rated movie sometime or buy a lottery ticket when they are away from home or who never speeds or never watches boxing on tv when alone or play chess even though the Society says it’s too violent 73 Awake, March 22, pg. 12-14? I think almost everyone in the organization is a “closet” apostate but are afraid to admit it for fear of “questioning” the “truth” and being labeled as mentally ill and thus are “trapped” into a contract they have no power to change or get out of.
and who are afraid to admit they hate going to assemblies and going to meetings and hate going out in service and hate the Society for their lot in life because they were made to feel ashamed if they wanted to go to college to have a good job? Which elder loves having to spend all his time taking care of the congregation when he doesn’t have any time for his own family? Which family member of an elder loves his father having to spend all his time with congregation problems but doesn’t have time for his own family? Which child when he grows up, doesn’t resent having to dedicate himself to the organization when he didn’t really want to and wasn’t told the whole truth and nothing but the truth before he got baptized? Those people going into that assembly don’t really look at those “apostates” outside the assembly like the Society would like us to think we do.